Lionel Messi is now the youngest and oldest Argentina national team player to score at a World Cup.
Messi had three goals for Argentina in their 3-0 win against Algeria to make him Argentina’s oldest player to ever score a World Cup goal. He is also the youngest player to ever score a goal at a World Cup with the Argentina national team.
On June 16, 2006, Lionel Messi played in his first World Cup match with the Argentina national team against Serbia and Montenegro. In his first World Cup match, he scored his first World Cup goal to become the youngest Argentine to score at a World Cup at 18 years of age.
Twenty years later, on June 16, 2026, Lionel Messi scored his first ever hat trick at a World Cup in the win against Algeria. At 38 years of age, he is the oldest Argentina national team player to score at the tournament.
The members who were saying messi should play only last 20-25 minutes I hope they got their answer.and i haven’t seen nico Paz much only the last friendly and the algeria game.i didn’t get the hype.looked quite mediocre to me.is he worth the hype??
20 years ladies and gents, so much for the washed-up talk since moving to MLS, no further comment needed.
Argentina’s approach against Algeria was a masterclass in tactical patience. With several key players injured, Scaloni’s side played cautiously, allowing Algeria’s high-pressing side to burn themselves out before gradually taking control. The game plan centered on attacking through the middle rather than the wings, which initially made penetration difficult as Algeria congested the central areas. Once Messi broke the deadlock, the match opened up considerably. Lautaro Martínez didn’t receive enough service to truly impact the game…no blame on him for that. The introduction of Álvarez and Nico González injected much-needed pace, shifting the tempo in Argentina’s favor. After the third goal, Scaloni wisely substituted Messi to protect his hamstring, and the team deliberately slowed the game down, letting Algeria hold possession in safe areas while remaining compact defensively to secure the clean sheet. Impatient fans may critique this pragmatic style, but Scaloni understands that tournament football is about adaptability-sometimes Argentina plays beautifully, sometimes they play ugly, depending on the scenario. And in this case, he nailed it perfectly.
Scoresheet looks very convincing but the performance didn’t look convincing at all, hope team improves as the tournament proceeds. Medina did his job, What happened to Lautaro looks like he forgot finish and press even his first touch has become worse , As Alvarez isnt fit Lautaro needs to step up. Scaloni needs to work on Right wing situation hope he finds out a way because Almada is not working out .
Even Molina does not look completely fit.
Emi Martinez has to save goals from open play as well.
Apart from that RDP , Macca and Enzo trio was good still need to bring more aggression from midfield.
I agree. Tremendous game by several players (Leo, Alexis, RDP, Enzo, Lisandro), decent by others and bad by a few (Almada). Defense looked shaky at times, and the build-up game looked risky, which can be deadly against better teams. First half was nervy, but overall a very good start and of course a historic, never to be forgotten game.
What a great performance by the team yesterday! They surpassed expectations, the determination, passion and also concentration was there. This is a team on a mission! An incredible day for Messi. I am sure he will score more goals to break Klose’s record, not just equal it. Although, he was lucky not to get a yellow card for the foul. Any other player with less stature would have gotten booked. The team looked disciplined and the crowd was once again fantastic. The best fanbase in the world!
Was it all good? Well, the last 15 minutes we were hardly able to get out of our own half. You would expect Paz and Alvarez to make an impact, but somehow we got stuck. We did great defensively but apparently lost our appetite to go forward. Or was it deliberate? Didn’t they want anybody else on the score sheet? 🙂
Bro come on anytime with 3 goals upfront will stay in their own half….Argentina was leading not trailing
Le celso needs to play left forward wing
i want it too for minimum 60 min then nico
I think Valentin Barco should be a starter and both almada and lo celso be subs
not bad idea
It was an out and out Messi show. Nico Paz replacing him did not see the ball much. However, other than Almada, every one did their part. McAllister grew into the game. Enzo was consistent. Montiel improved. The defence looked solid in the second half compared to the first half. Lautaro needs to be pressing hard, if he wants to be in the starting XI. The foundation has been built. Now other forwards need to take this forward and don’t just rely on Messi to bail them out.
Montiel still looked out of sorts especially early on. The offside saved him. Medina against tougher opposition, unless Nico Gonzalez heavily supports him by dropping deep, will be in trouble too
Tagliafico will be okay in the knock outs.if both molina montiel not available is anyone there to replace them??
Apart from Almada , all of our players did a great job . Montiel was kinda shaky but still he did well. Lautaro needs to press a bit more. However Julian is recovering soon.
I think almada should not start again . Maybe used as a late sub
after gap Montiel played this game molina too.
Messi schooled Zidane’s kid. Thankfully a good strong start unlike last 2 WCs. Must say Messi was lucky to escape a card on that initial foul on Algerian captain. Fullbacks, Lautaro, Almada needs improvement as competition heats up
Wish he had midfielders like this in 2010-14-18 then he could have scored 50worldcup goalss
14 was fine 10 would have been if we returned to the backs to the wall 442 instead of trying to play Germany’s 5 man midfield with mascharano all on his own bless him everyone here back then predicted a 4-0 6-0 slaughtering and that’s what happened
Bsrdisso demec samual henze
Maxi veron masch dema
Messi
Hig
Germany beat but we can never go back
The 2010 team has one of the best forward lines we ever had. The team was however unbalanced. I still don’t understand why Diego left out CL winners Zanetti and Cambiasso. Those two would have made a lot of difference.